Kilimanjaro North Face Route

Kilimanjaro North Face Route

OPEN GROUPS AVAILABLE | This unique wilderness route will start from Umbwe Gate, cross Shira Plateau, follow the western and northern sectors of the high altitude circuit trail to a new and little-known scrambling route up to a bivouac just below the famous Crater. After we cross the Crater, we climb up to the southern rim and visit the summit at Uhuru Point – the Roof of Africa. The descent is via Stella Point, down to Barafu Camp and then via Mweka Route to the gate.

This afternoon at approx. 4pm, there will be a climb briefing and kit check, during which we shall give you transfer times for the morrow.

Moivaro is a comfortable garden lodge set in a quiet location on the outskirts of Arusha. Geared towards trekkers and safari travellers, it’s a lovely spot to relax before and after your climb.

The rest of this afternoon is at your leisure. Take in the beautiful vista of Mount Meru from your garden cottage verandah, enjoy a drink at the cosy bar with fireplace, or perhaps just laze at the side of the swimming pool or amid the tropical trees and coffee plants in the lodge gardens.

Day 2: Start of the 8 Days North Face Climb – Umbwe Cave

We aim to leave the Lodge by 8:30am and drive two hours to Machame, where we register, and then on to Umbwe Gate, where we begin the climb.

Umbwe Gate (1800ms.) is on the southern flank of Kilimanjaro, and today’s gently ascending trek will take us to the first campsite at Umbwe Cave (9,350ft / 2,850m). It’s a relatively easy trek of about 4-5 hours, taking us through forest plantations in the Kilimanjaro foothills and then up into the wild cloud forest. This is a rarely-used ascent route so expect to see very few other climbers.

Tonight’s camp will be on small terraces within the forest, where tent space is limited but adequate. This site, right in the heart of the rainforest, is actually the most cramped camping space of the entire climb – so it gets better!

Day 3: To Barranco Camp

Wake up at 6:30am, pack main bags, breakfast at 7am and then at 8am, commence trek through the remaining forest and into the heath zone. [NB These timings will generally apply, except for Summit Day.]

As you climb you will be able to enjoy wonderful views up the Barranco Valley, clothed in dense rain forest, to the dome of Kibo and to the ice fields high above you.

There is some easy scrambling over rock slabs during today's ascent. Because Umbwe is a little-trodden wilderness route, you will often have to negotiate your way past large tree roots and over natural steps in the trail. Expect to reach Barranco Camp (13,000ft / 3,960ms) in the early afternoon.

This is a busy camp as it intersects Machame, Lemosho, Shira and Umbwe trails, which follow the standard Barafu approach to the summit.

The location, however, is very special, with spectacular views of the Western Breach.

Day 4: Barranco to Moir Camp

Today we divert from the standard trail and head to the North West flank of Kilimanjaro, a zone that very few climbers visit.

Moir Camp is located on the north-west side of the Kilimanjaro massif, beneath a high rock escarpment. Level ground and nearby mountain streams make this a good place to take stock of the climb so far and to prepare for the push onto the North Face of Kilimanjaro.

Day 5: Acclimatisation Day at Moir Camp

Today will be an opportunity to further acclimatise to the altitude and to rest. After breakfast, we climb out of Moir Valley and continue up on to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 metres, and then on to the main peak of the Lent Group (15,400ft. /4,700m).

The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Scree Valley Camp – our North Face base camp at 4,200m. At this wild camp you can marvel at the view of the Kenyan flatlands extnding out into the horizon.

Day 7: Acclimatisation Day at Scree Valley Camp

From Scree Valley Camp, we climb up a ridge and then on to the higher slopes as we approach the crater rim. Our goal today is to reach JAWA Cairn, set up in Jan 2017 by our team.

There is some easy scrambling today as we get on to the ridge, which will serve as good preparation for the summit bid tomorrow, when we set off before dawn.

All climbers must be aware that we are in a very remote location on the Kilimanjaro massif. Were it required, rescue would take longer from this side of Kilimanjaro, so team work and attention to instructions from the leaders will be most important.

We return to Scree Camp for dinner and overnight. This evening we will hold an important briefing and kit check in readiness for the summit push tomorrow.

Then it’s to bed, in order to ensure a good rest in advance of tomorrow’s 4am start!

Day 8: Kilimanjaro (daylight) summit climb

An early start, as we climb the ridge and on to the northern rim of the great caldera of Kilimanjaro. As the sun comes up, the scenery of this unique, amazing wilderness route will gradually unfold.

We have an easy trek into the crater, now that the Northern Icefields have receded enough to make access easy. We traverse east and contour around the southern rim of the amazing Reusch Crater (a smaller crater located within the main Kibo crater), and then walk down to the remnants of the Furtwangler Glacier.

We then have a tough 300m trek up the inner crater wall on a steep zig-zagging trail. Here walking pole(s) are strongly recommended. This trail will take us back up to the rim of the crater, and on to Kilimanjaro’s summit at Uhuru Point.

After a rest at the summit and a chance to take photographs, we descend around the southern rim of Kilimanjaro to Stella Point. Here there is a last chance to admire the amazing views – look north, and you’ll be able to see in the remote distance the point where you entered and crossed the crater of Kilimanjaro – a real affirmation of your achievement!

These moments of reflection are followed by a fast trek down the scree slopes to Barafu Campsite (4,700m), which we should reach by mid-afternoon. Then, after tea and snacks, we continue down on an easy trail to Millenium Camp, where we rest.

Today’s demanding trek will take around 14 hours from start to finish.

Day 9: Descend Kilimanjaro – Moivaro Lodge

We depart Millennium Camp (3,800m) after a more leisurely breakfast. Then we walk down across the Alpine moorland to Mweka Gate for presentation of certificates and group photos.

Please note that this is a long walk-off lasting 9 to 11 hours, perhaps even longer if there is rain on the route.)

As the southern flank tends to be wet, it is quite likely that you will encounter wet and very muddy conditions in the rainforest section on this last day. Please be prepared for this and do not expect an easy jaunt back to the gate!

After saying thank you and goodbye to our support team, we continue to Moivaro Lodge for a well-earned hot shower, dinner & rest.

Day 10: Departure

This morning is spent at leisure at Moivaro Lodge, unless you are continuing onto a safari or beach extension.

Lunch is to your own account. Later continue to the airport for your flight home (transfer included in climb cost).

Price guide

Price applicable to our open group departures, which depart at fixed dates throughout the year - see available departure dates below. Price based on a group size of 4 or more. For private departures, please see our rates chart.

Pricing

10 days from £2698pp

Date:31/01/2019 - 09/02/2019

Pricing: 10 days from £2,698pp

Date:07/07/2019 - 16/07/2019

Pricing: 10 days from £2,698pp

Charity fundraising expedition in support of the Lewis Moody Foundation. Please contact us for further details.